The first hint comes from the water. Itâ€™s everywhere. Donâ€™t see many exits for beaches in Tucson. Clearwater isnâ€™t far from Tampa Bay, but has a small-time feel that doesnâ€™t exist in Phoenix or Tempe.

As you travel on US-19 South, the signs announce that Sports Illustrated named this a great sports town a few years ago. And strictly for historians, Clearwater is the home of the original Hooters restaurant. Itâ€™s a claim the city takes seriously by placing Hooters, um, employees as the ball girls down the foul lines for Philliesâ€™ home games at Brighthouse Field.

Clearwater is also the home of Cooters, too. Not sure what that restaurant is famous for, though it brings to mind images of the Dukes of Hazzard.

Anyway, baseball tidbits gathered in conversations with three different teams this morning:
–The Dodgersâ€™ Mark Hendrickson, whom the Rockies have long had interest, is very much available. Wouldnâ€™t be surprised if Colorado gets involved and tries to make a deal. Word is that left-hander Hong-Chih Kuo will man the Dodgersâ€™ fifth rotation spot, which pushes Chad Billingsley and Brett Tomko into the bullpen and Hendrickson onto the trading block.

–Talk in Philliesâ€™ camp is that starter Jon Lieber could begin the year in the bullpen, a scenario most here see more as posturing than a real possibility. The Philliesâ€™ rotation is set with Brett Myers, Cole Hamels, Freddy Garcia, Jamie Moyer and Adam Eaton. Philadelphia would desperately like to add a setup man, and has dangled Lieber and center fielder Aaron Rowand all spring. The only name they have been connected to is San Diegoâ€™s Scott Linebrink. A deal with San Diego seems less likely now that Termel Sledge has played well this spring, easing the need for the Padres to go after Rowand.

–Ryan Howard strikes an imposing figure at first base. Heâ€™s listed at 256 pounds. Heâ€™s a slightly taller version of Bostonâ€™s Big Papi.

–Philliesâ€™ outfielder Karim Garcia said he almost signed with the Rockies over the winter because of his friendship with Vinny Castilla, a special assistant for Colorado. â€œI first played with Vinny back in 1992 in Mexico,â€™â€™ he said.

–Chin-Hui Tsao isnâ€™t expected to break camp with the Dodgers, but has been impressive nonetheless. He hit 95 mph in his most recent outing.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.